Well - its comforting to know that not everyone thinks that its junk. I wouldn't know one brand from another personally.
I realize that the problem could be more than just the switch but I imagine I will find the answer to that riddle once I put the new switch on.
The reason I believe it is the switch is because I had this probelm last year and it managed to work to this point this year until now without any major disasters - so I think the switch finally peetered out.
My wife and child are staying with her parents until the furnace is repaired one way or another (and I haven't cancelled the service call that I scheduled yet)
As you know I work in a profession where we don't normally recommend people do things without a professional. In other words, I know when to ask for help and when I need to pay someone to fix it right...